“We are elated by the ruling and we made the position earlier that DAP was unconstitutional. We reserve further comment pending the release of the full decision,” said Romualdez.

Romualdez refused to make further comments on whether the ruling would trigger an impeachment case against President Aquino and if Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad Jr. should resign from his post immediately. Romualdez is the president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), one of the nine petitioners against DAP.

Belmonte assured that President Aquino would not be impeached, stressing such exercise is political in nature and the Chief Executive enjoys wide support among lawmakers.

Buhay Hayaang Yumabong party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, a member of Romualdez bloc, asked Abad to resign after revealing in public the total amount released for DAP.

“The one who conceived, concocted, conceptualized, and designed DAP should take full responsibility. Sec. Abad should divulge the full amount of DAP releases and disbursements. After this, he should resign for compromising the government, that’s a natural consequence,” said Atienza.

Eastern Samar Rep. Evardone said “the planned impeachment case against P-Noy based on SC DAP ruling is premature, baseless and will not hold water. In the first place, DAP contributed a lot to the country’s economic growth and funded viable and productive programs of the gov’t. It is unfortunate that the SC decision on DAP may hamper some operations and programs of the government but we have to respect it.”